No slip-ups when it counted for elated Day

January 17 2003By Melissa Ryan

Ben Day had to scramble to make the start of the Australian men's time-trial championship after almost missing his call, and later slipped as he mounted the victory dais, but his ride in between amounted to a flawless passage to the national jersey.

He completed the 39-kilometre course at Buninyong, near Ballarat, in 52 minutes 26.37 seconds, upsetting favourite Michael Rogers, who finished second for the second successive year.

Day's triumph completed a Queensland double in the time-trial events, following Sara Carrigan's win in the women's race.

South Australian Adrian Laidler was third after enduring an agonising wait. The first rider off, his time of 53:52.69 survived all challenges until Day and Rogers (52:40.18), the last two of 44 starters, eclipsed it.

Laidler, 21, who had hoped for a top-10 finish, won the concurrent under-23 championship.");document.write("

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"I put in a really good ride and good time and was happy, then sat in the hot seat and guys weren't coming past the time, so I had to sit and wait. Eventually, it got knocked off by two, but by far two better riders, so no complaints," Laidler said.

Day was stunned and elated at his victory, laughing off the pre and post-race fumbles.

"I'm just absolutely smashed. It hasn't kicked in yet. To beat people like Michael, and Adrian did an awesome ride today, I can't believe it," he said.

Day, winner of the domestic road series in 2000, has gravitated to the time-trial because it gives the rider control of his own destiny, rather than the "absolute lottery" of road races.

"On Sunday, the field (for the road race) is so strong and there's so many people who can win, and the strongest person on the day most likely won't win. It comes down to luck and being smart and getting everything right on the day," Day said.

"The thing with time-trialling is if you prepare well and make sure everything's right on the day and then just give it your all, then wherever you finish, you've done the best you possibly can and that's the result you deserve."

Rogers' disappointment was apparent as he sat slumped in the shade after the race. When his time was announced, ensuring Day was the winner, the Commonwealth Games time-trial silver medallist hurled a water bottle in frustration at having missed out on the national title again. Last year, he was second behind Nathan O'Neill.

"The wind was just really tough," Rogers said.

"Obviously, Ben was a lot stronger and that's the way it is ... I'm disappointed, I really wanted to win, but I should have worked maybe a little bit harder."